According to a new study by Perla International, the global market for digital printing packaging and labels is expected to reach US $ 2.4 billion in 2010, and the market has expanded by nearly three times. This market size is expected to be at a combined health rate of 182% and 23% overall The growth rate is expected to reach nearly US $ 6.8 billion by 2014.

According to some early research and expert analysis, they predicted in the "Digital Printing Packaging Prospects" that in the five years to 2014, the global market will decline in packaging types, end-use markets, applications, and geographic regions and production processes. In addition, the purpose of this study is to clearly define the advantages and disadvantages associated with digital printing and packaging from 2009 to 2014. This research not only provides a detailed introduction to the key demand development direction, but also analyzes the competitive landscape of the industry and business opportunities of the analysis equipment and consumable suppliers.

Digital printing refers to the reproduction of images reproduced each time a copy is printed. The image carrier can be dynamic (toner) or virtual (inkjet). Although the effects of each digital printing are similar, they are essentially different.

Digital printing does not require prepress and expensive traditional news layout adjustments, thereby greatly reducing costs. Digital printing can not only print on various substrates but also ensure the versatility of digital printing machines for other printing methods.

The main driving force for digital printing in packaging and labeling is the need for short news customization and operation to limit the amount of dormant inventory. Digitally printed labels and packaging on demand are critical in the current economic downturn and waste reduction measures, as fewer substances, energy sources, and inks can be used. Standard digital work files-formats that can be edited like the PDF format (Quark, Adobe Illustrator, PDF, Adobeh, and EskoArtwork) can not only be received online, but can also be run after a quick folding and early warning. Therefore, the work that started in the past several days in advance can be completed in one afternoon, which is in line with the timely supply chain pursued by some brand owners.

Digital printing can also make the converter a ‘print service provider’ and provide a wider range of electronic services than traditional printing services. Customer relationship management (CRM) support, network distribution, and digital picture library management currently belong to the services provided by printers and converters.

The biggest advantage of digital printing is that it can do variable data printing (VDP) and allow the production of unique products.

Among other things, it can encode and bar code (1 and 2 dimensions), number, complete equipment included in the brand, and limited edition production in different language versions.

Regarding the global market for digital printing packaging and labels by industry, driven by brand owners' pursuit of innovation and faster printing speeds required by converters, Perla International expects that digital use in flexible cords will Increase 4 to 5 times. Some of this growth may come at the expense of folding cartons that have been growing slowly over the past few years. In some cases, brand owners are turning to purely flexible packaging options.

In the end-use market, as the penetration level of electronic technology is still at an early low level, food and beverages are already at the forefront. In view of the growth of ordinary production packaging and labels, the penetration rate is expected to increase in the near future. According to Perla ’s forecast, the industry will generate $ 0.66 million in global sales in 2009, and it is expected to rise to $ 2.1 billion in 2014, a year-on-year increase of 28%.

This research also adds that the most common application of digital printing in the packaging market is ordinary production. The emphasis is that even if the collection of inspections, prototypes, samples and tests still dominates the printed materials, the traditional production function is still the most important. Compared to packaging, this is particularly suitable for labels. According to Perla, digital general production packaging and label printing are expected to be 93,100 yuan in 2009, and are expected to climb to 245 million US dollars in 2014.

From the geographical point of view, the digital printing and packaging market can be roughly divided according to the two lines of developed and developing countries. Western Europe and North America have witnessed the lowest growth rates, while Asia Pacific, Eastern Europe, South America, and the Middle East and Africa have the highest growth rates. According to the prediction of Pera International, the average growth rate in the period 2009-2014 will be between 19% (North America) and 33% (Eastern Europe, although the starting point is low, but the growth momentum has exceeded the previously expected 2011).

Regarding the advancement of digital printing systems, some of the latest systems include online system glazing, coating, stacking, conveying, and die cutting. Digital circuits, including folding, gluing and filling machinery, allow the entire printing and packaging process to be performed at the same location, further saving logistics and supply chain transportation steps.